ICT revokes arrest warrant for Zafrullah
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 yesterday revoked its earlier order issuing an arrest warrant for Ganashasthya Trust founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury.
The tribunal withdrew its order after Zafrullah submitted a copy of the Supreme Court order that had stayed the tribunals order issuing arrest warrant until July 5.
Zafrullahs lawyer Barrister Rasna Imam said her client submitted a copy of the Appellate Division order, staying the monetary penalty imposed on him, before the tribunal.
Earlier, on 18 June, the ICT-2 issued an arrest warrant for Zafrullah. A three-member tribunal bench led by Obaidul Hassan issued the arrest warrant as Zafrullah failed to submit a fine of Tk 5,000 for contempt of court. The court also said Zafrullah would have to spend a month in jail if he did not pay the fine.
On June 10, the tribunal found Zafrullah Chowdhury guilty of contempt and imprisoned him at court for an hour for criticising punishment of Bangladesh-based UK journalist David Bergman.
In response to an appeal filed by Zafrullah, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on 16 June stayed the fine till 5 July.
But, the tribunal yesterday withdrew its arrest warrant order following a move made by Zafarullah, Acting Deputy Registrar of the tribunal Md Aftafuzzaman told reporters.
Zafarullah appeared before the tribunal and submitted the SC order to the registrar office around 11:15am, Aftafuzzaman said.
In his petition Zafrullah urged the tribunal to withdraw its arrest warrant against him, Aftafuzzaman added.
Later, Zafrullah said that the tribunal has mistakenly issued the arrest warrant against him as it was not aware about the apex court stay order.
